Vehicle body door hinge hold-open clip

ABSTRACT

A vehicle body door hinge includes a pair of pivotally connected hinge members, one of which has a pair of attachment members over which are respectively snapped a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions respective the ends of an integral hold-open clip to mount the hold-open clip on the one hinge member. A generally U-shaped hold-open portion of the clip extends between the attachment portions and with the hinge members in a door closed position, the closed end of the hold-open portion of the mounted clip assumes an undeflected position and is located laterally to and out of engagement with a roller mounted on the other hinge member. Relative movement of the hinge members from the door closed position toward a door open position moves the roller into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion and deflects the hold-open portion, storing energy within the mounted clip until the hinge members reach an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. Thereafter, during relative movement of the hinge members toward the door open position, the clip releases a portion of the quantity of stored energy as the hold-open portion moves partially toward the undeflected position, assisting in opening movement of the hinge members and moving the roller into engagement with the closed end of one of the attachment portions as the hinge members reach the open position where the clip detents the hinge members. In the open position, the roller biases the attachment portions of the clip against the attachment members to thus provide a force preventing dismounting of the clip from the one hinge member upon each successive movement of the hinge members to open position.

United States Patent 1 Berman et al.

[54] VEHICLE BODY DOOR HINGE HOLD- OPEN CLIP [75] Inventors: Dennis W. Berman, Detroit; Bela Gergoe, Sterling Heights, both of 1,908,344 5/1933 Haberstump.... ...16/85 X 1,019,068 3/1912 McKinnon ..16/142 2,388,021 I 10/1945 Thomas ..16/142X 2,314,416 3/1943 Muldoon ..16/142 57,240 8/1866 Wiswall ..16/73 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 655,103 7/1951 Great Britain ..16/142 186,195 5/1956 Sweden ..16/180 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner- Peter A. Aschenbrenner A ttorney-W. E. Finken and Herbert Furman Jun. 16, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A vehicle body door hinge includes a pair of pivotally connected hinge members, one of which has a pair of attachment members over which are respectively snapped a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions respective the ends of an integral hold-open clip to mount the hold-open clip on the one hinge member. A generally U-shaped hold-open portion of the clip extends between the attachment portions and with the hinge members in a door closed position, the closed end of the hold-open portion of the mounted clip assumes an undeflected position and is located laterally to and out of engagement with a roller mounted on the other hinge member. Relative movement of the hinge members from the door closed position toward a door open position moves the roller into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion and deflects the hold-open portion, storing energy within the mounted clip until the hinge members reach an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. Thereafter, during relative movement of the hinge members toward the door open position, the clip releases a portion of the quantity of stored energy as the hold-open portion moves partially toward the undeflected position, assisting in opening movement of the hinge members and moving the roller into engagement with the closed end of one of the attachment portions as the hinge members reach the open posltion where the clip detents the hinge 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 16 I975 [N VEJNTORS ATTORNEY VEHICLE BODY DOOR HINGE HOLD-OPEN CLIP This invention relates to a vehicle body door hinge including a hold-open clip that is snapped onto a hinge member.

It is well known to provide a vehicle body door hinge including a pair of pivotally connected hinge members movable between door open and closed positions with one of the hinge members supporting a hold-open clip that is engaged by a hold-open member on the other hinge member to detent the hinge members in the open position. Conventionally, the hold-open clip is bolted, welded, or pivotally connected to the respective hinge member. Quite often, the hold-open clip and hold-open member are interlocked such that the vehicle body door cannot be mounted on or dismounted from the vehicle body by respectively attaching and detaching the hinge members at their pivotal connection.

This invention provides a vehicle body door hinge including a hold-open clip that is snapped onto a hinge member and which is not interlocked with the other hinge member to allow mounting and dismounting of the door by respectively attaching and detaching the hinge members at their pivotal connection.

In the preferred embodiment of the door hinge, the hold-open clip includes generally U-shaped attachment portions respective the ends of the clip and a generally to and out of engagement with the closed end of the undeflected hold-open portion of the mounted clip. Relative movement of the hinge members toward a door open position moves the roller into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion, deflecting the hold-open portion and storing energy in the clip until the hinge members reach an intermediate position between open and closed positions. Thereafter during relative movement of the hinge members toward the open position, the clip releases a portion of the stored energy to assist in moving the hinge members to the open position and the roller moves into engagement with the closed end of one of the attachment portions to detent the hinge members in the open position. With the hinge members in the open position, the roller biases the attachment portions of the clip against the attachment members on the one hinge member to member.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a attachment portions at the ends of the clip that are snapped over respective attachment members on one of the hinge members to mount the clip on the one hinge member and having a hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, with the hold-open portion being engaged by an engagement member on the other hinge member to detent the hinge members in a door open position where the engagement member biases the attachment portions of the clip against the attachment members to prevent dismounting of the clip from the one hinge member.

These and other objects of this invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially broken away horizontal sectional view through a vehicle body supporting a vehicle body door, shown in closed position, by a door hinge including an integral hold-open clip according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the door detented inopen position by the hold-open clip; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the hinge taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. ll.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle body generally indicated at 10 supports a vehicle body door 12 by a door hinge generally indicated at 14 for movement between the FIG. 1 door closed position and the FIG. 2 door open position. The door hinge 14 includes a first hinge member 16, secured to the body 10 by bolts 18 and a second hinge member 20, secure-d to door 12 by bolts 22. Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, hinge member 16 includes spaced upper and lower walls 24 such that hinge member 16 has a generally pistol-like configuration as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly, hinge member 20 includes spaced upper and lower walls 26 which are apertured to receive respective bushings 28, FIG. 3. To attach the hinge members 16 and 20 to each other, the hinge member 20 is positioned such that the walls 26 are received between the walls 24 of hinge member 16 and the apertures of the bushings 28 are aligned with apertures29 in the walls 24 of hinge member 16, as in FIG. 3. A headed hinge pin 30 is then inserted through the aligned apertures of the walls and the bushings to pivotally connect the hinge members 16 and 20. A suitable generally annular axially split retainer 32 received within a groove 34 in the unheaded end of hinge pin 30 is deflectable upon insertion of the hinge pin and subsequently prevents removal of the hinge pin from the assembled position. A screwdriver or another suitable tool may be inserted within the axial slot of retainer 32 to deflect the retainer and allow removal of the retainer from the groove 34. The hinge pin 30 can then be removed al lowing detachment of the hinge members 16 and 20 at their pivotal connection about which the door I2 pivots during movement between the FIG. 1 door closed position and the FIG. 2 door open position.

An integral hold-open clip generally indicated by 36 includes generally U-shaped attachment portions Y38 and 40 respective the ends of the clip and a somewhat larger generally U-shaped hold-open portion 42 ex tending between the attachment portions. The open end of each of the portions 38, 40, and 42 faces substantially in the same direction as shown by arrow A.

An attachment pin 44 extends between the walls 24 of hinge member 16 which also includes an attachment flange 46 having a notch 48 that defines upper and lower walls 50, only the lower one of which is shown. Preferably, the clip 36 is mounted on the hinge member 16 prior to the attachment of hinge member 20 to hinge member 16 by way of hinge pin 30 such that the attachment pin 44 and attachment flange 46 are readily accessible. The clip 36 is mounted on hinge member 16 by first positioning the clip slightly clockwise of the FIG. 1 position such that the open end of attachment portion 38 opens in a direction upwardly and to the right generally parallel to the direction of arrow A. The clip 36 is then moved in the direction of arrow A until the open end of attachment portion 38 receives the attachment pin 44 whereupon the clip is rotated counterclockwise such that the open end of attachment portion 40 receives the attachment flange 46 of hinge member 16 upon subsequent movement of clip 36 in the direction of arrow A. Upon further movement of clip 36 along the direction of arrow A, the attachment portions 38 and 40 respectively snap over attachment pin 44 and attachment flange 46 to thus mount the clip on hinge member 16 with the upper and lower walls 50 of flange 46 engaging the upper and lower sides of the base wall of attachment portion 40 to prevent vertical movement of the clip.

The upper and lower walls 26 of hinge member 20 extend on the opposite side of hinge pin from bolts 22 and support a pin 52 which is headed at both ends, FIG. 3. Pin 52 rotatably supports a pair of bushings 54 that mount a roller 56 between the walls 26. With the door 12 in the closed position of FIG. 1, the roller 56 is located laterally to, in a direction generally opposite to that of arrow A, and out of engagement with the mounted clip 36. Movement of the door 12 toward the FIG. 2 door open position moves the roller 56 toward the closed end of the hold-open portion 42 of the mounted clip and continued opening movement moves the roller into engagement with the closed end of holdopen portion 42, deflecting hold-open portion 42 to thus store energy in the clip. When the door 12 reaches an intermediate position substantially halfway between the open and closed positions, the clip ceases to store energy and further opening movement of door 12 causes the clip to release a portion of the stored energy as hold-open portion 42 begins to move toward the undeflected position of FIG. 1. This release of stored energy provides an assist, by way of roller 56, to aid in opening movement of the door 12. Before the holdopen portion 42 reaches the undeflected position of FIG. 1 and releases all of the stored energy during the continued opening movement of door 12 from the intermediate position, the roller 56 engages the closed end of attachment portion 38 of the mounted clip 36 as in FIG. 2. The clip 36 thus detents the door 12 in the open position to allow occupant ingression to and egression from the vehicle body 10.

It should be noted that with the door located in the open position, the detenting of the roller 56 between the closed ends of the attachment portion 38 and the hold-open portion 42 causes the roller 56 to bias the clip generally in a direction along arrow A. As a result of this biasing, the attachment portions 38 and are biased against the attachment pin 44 and the attachment flange 46, respectively. Consequently, if for any reason the hold-open clip should become partially dismounted from hinge member 16, each movement of the door to open position will move the clip 36 to the mounted position on hinge member 16.

To move the door 12 from the open position of FIG. 2 to the closed position of FIG. 1, a manual force is applied to a conventional door handle to rotate the door clockwise about hinge pin 30. This movement causes the roller 56 to move out of engagement with the closed end of attachment portion 38 and to restore the previously released stored energy as the door 12 moves to the intermediate position midway between open and closed positions. From the intermediate position, continued closing movement. of the door 12 causes the clip 36 to release all of the stored energy as the hold-open portion 42 moves toward the undeflected position of FIG. 1. During this closing movement, the release of the stored energy provides an assist to closing movement of door 12, the assist terminating when hold-open portion 42 reaches the undeflected position of FIG. 1 as roller 56 moves out of engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion.

The invention thus provides an improved vehicle body door hinge including a hold-open clip.

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle body door hinge for mounting a vehicle body door on a vehicle body, the hinge comprising, first and second hinge members pivotally connected for movement relative to each other between door open and closed positions, a pair of spaced attachment means on one of the hinge members, an integral holdopen clip including a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions at opposite ends of the clip and a generally U-shaped hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, the portions of the clip being oriented to open generally in the same direction and one of the attachment portions being received within the open end of the hold-open portion in a space conserving relationship, the clip being mounted on the one hinge member by movement of the clip in the direction toward which the portions thereof open such that the attachment portions respectively receive and deflect over the spaced attachment means on this hinge member, and rotatable means mounted on the other hinge member and movable into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion of the clip during movement of the hinge members toward open position such that deflection of the hold-open portion maintains the rotatable means in a position detenting the hinge members in the open position.

2. A vehicle body door hinge for mounting a vehicle body door on a vehicle body, the hinge comprising, first and second hinge members pivotally connected for movement relative to each other between door open and closed positions, a pair of spaced attachment means on one of the hinge members, an integral holdopen clip including a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions at opposite ends of the clip and a generally U-shaped hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, the portions of the clip being oriented to open generally in the same direction and one of the attachment portions being received within the open end of the hold-open portion in a space conserving relationship, the clip being mounted on the one hinge member by movement of the clip in the direction toward which the portions thereof open such that the attachment portions respectively receive and deflect over the spaced attachment means on this hinge member, and rotatable means mounted on the other hinge member and movable into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion of the clip during movement of the hinge members toward open position such that deflection of the hold-open portion causes the rotatable means to be detented into engagement with the closed end of the other attachment portion of the clip and to thereby maintain the hinge members in the open position.

3. A vehicle body door hinge for mounting a vehicle body door on a vehicle body, the hinge comprising, first and second hinge members pivotably connected for movement relative to each other between door open and closed positions, a pair of spaced attachment means on one of the hinge members, an integral holdopen clip fabricated from an elongated member to define a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions at the opposite ends of this member and a generally U-shaped hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, the portions of the clip being oriented to open generally in the same direction and one of the attachment portions being received within the open end of the hold-open portion in a space conserving relationship, the clip being mounted on the one hinge member by movement of the clip in the direction toward which the portions thereof open such that the attachment portions respectively receive and deflect over the spaced attachment means on this hinge member, and rotatable means mounted on the other hinge member and movable into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion of the clip during movement of the hinge members from closed position toward open position such that a. quantity of energy is stored within the clip as the hinge members move in this direction to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions, the clip releasing a portion of the quantity of stored energy during movement of the hinge members from the intermediate position to open position where the rotatable means is detented between the closed ends of the hold open portion and the other attachment portion and thereby maintains the hinge members in the open position.

4. The vehicle body door hinge of claim 3 wherein one of the pair of spaced attachment means on the one hinge member defines a horizontally opening notch within which one of the attachment portions of the clip is received during mounting such that engagement of this attachment portion with this attachment means at the upper and lower surfaces of the notch limits vertical movement of the clip. 

1. A vehicle body door hinge for mounting a vehicle body door on a vehicle body, the hinge comprising, first and second hinge members pivotally connected for movement relative to each other between door open and closed positions, a pair of spaced attachment means on one of the hinge members, an integral holdopen clip including a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions at opposite ends of the clip and a generally U-shaped hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, the portions of the clip being oriented to open generally in the same direction and one of the attachment portions being received within the open end of the hold-open portion in a space conserving relationship, the clip being mounted on the one hinge member by movement of the clip in the direction toward which the portions thereof open such that the attachment portions respectively receive and deflect over the spaced attachment means on this hinge member, and rotatable means mounted on the other hinge member and movable into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion of the clip during movement of the hinge members toward open position such that deflection of the holdopen portion maintains the rotatable means in a position detenting the hinge members in the open position.
 2. A vehicle body door hinge for mounting a vehicle body door on a vehicle body, the hinge comprising, first and second hinge members pivotally connected for movement relative to each other between door open and closed positions, a pair of spaced attachment means on one of the hinge members, an integral hold-open clip including a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions at opposite ends of the clip and a generally U-shaped hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, the portions of the clip being oriented to open generally in the same direction and one of the attachment portions being received within the open end of the hold-open portion in a space conserving relationship, the clip being mounted on the one hinge member by movement of the clip in the direction toward which the portions thereof open such that the attachment portions respectively receive and deflect over the spaced attachment means on thIs hinge member, and rotatable means mounted on the other hinge member and movable into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion of the clip during movement of the hinge members toward open position such that deflection of the hold-open portion causes the rotatable means to be detented into engagement with the closed end of the other attachment portion of the clip and to thereby maintain the hinge members in the open position.
 3. A vehicle body door hinge for mounting a vehicle body door on a vehicle body, the hinge comprising, first and second hinge members pivotably connected for movement relative to each other between door open and closed positions, a pair of spaced attachment means on one of the hinge members, an integral hold-open clip fabricated from an elongated member to define a pair of generally U-shaped attachment portions at the opposite ends of this member and a generally U-shaped hold-open portion intermediate the attachment portions, the portions of the clip being oriented to open generally in the same direction and one of the attachment portions being received within the open end of the hold-open portion in a space conserving relationship, the clip being mounted on the one hinge member by movement of the clip in the direction toward which the portions thereof open such that the attachment portions respectively receive and deflect over the spaced attachment means on this hinge member, and rotatable means mounted on the other hinge member and movable into engagement with the closed end of the hold-open portion of the clip during movement of the hinge members from closed position toward open position such that a quantity of energy is stored within the clip as the hinge members move in this direction to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions, the clip releasing a portion of the quantity of stored energy during movement of the hinge members from the intermediate position to open position where the rotatable means is detented between the closed ends of the hold-open portion and the other attachment portion and thereby maintains the hinge members in the open position.
 4. The vehicle body door hinge of claim 3 wherein one of the pair of spaced attachment means on the one hinge member defines a horizontally opening notch within which one of the attachment portions of the clip is received during mounting such that engagement of this attachment portion with this attachment means at the upper and lower surfaces of the notch limits vertical movement of the clip. 